List of Puerto Rico state forests

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Example of a state forest landmark sign, this one for the Cueva Ventana in Guajataca.

Puerto Rico state forests (Spanish: Bosques estatales de Puerto Rico), sometimes referred to as Puerto Rico Commonwealth forests in English,[1][2] are protected forest reserves managed by the government of Puerto Rico, particularly by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. In addition to their function as protected forest reserves, many of the forests are analogous to state parks in other states and territories of the United States, as they also function as management units that cater to recreational, educational and cultural activities.[3][4] Additionally, state forests in Puerto Rico can contain units with additional protection designations within their boundaries, as is the case of La Parguera Natural Reserve within Boquerón State Forest,[5] for example. There are currently 20 units in the Puerto Rico state forest system.[6]

History

The first protected forests in Puerto Rico were designated not for their ecological value but for their industrial timber utility in the form of Spanish Crown Lands under the Inspección de Montes, the equivalent of the Spanish Colonial Forest service. El Yunque, for example, was the first forested area to receive this designation in Puerto Rico.[7]

Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War in 1898 and, in 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt set aside these former timberlands to proclaim the Luquillo Forest Reserve, the first ecologically protected area in the island.[8] Meanwhile, on the state level, colonial governor Arthur Yager set aside mangrove forests along the coasts of Puerto Rico for their ecological value between 1918 and 1919: Aguirre,[9] Boquerón,[10] Ceiba,[11] and Guánica.[12] The latter had its boundaries extended in order to protect a large tract of dry forest, a type of ecosystem that used to be common in the Caribbean but had now almost completely disappeared.[13] These became the first state or territorial-level protected forests in the island and, in December of 1919, ownership of the federally protected forest tract in the westernmost portion of the Cordillera Central passed to the territorial government, making the Maricao Forest the first woodland to receive this designation.[14]

By 1935 all the newly protected woodlands of Puerto Rico under were consolidated as part of the Caribbean National Forest, which was then divided into the areas of the Sierra de Luquillo (El Yunque) and the Cordillera Central (Guilarte and Toro Negro).[15][16] In addition to their natural resources these areas were also managed as tourist attractions, something that is evident in the territory-wide construction projects of visitor infrastructure by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s Roosevelt presidency. Many of these structures and buildings today possess historical and architectural value, and some are listed in the National Register of Historic Places as New Deal Era Constructions in the Forest Reserves of Puerto Rico (1933-1942).[17][18] A notable example of these is the Santa Ana Observation Tower, popularly called La Torre de Piedra.[19] It was during this time that the ownership of the western portions of the Caribbean National Forest passed to the territorial government, creating Toro Negro in 1934 and Guilarte, which was separated from the latter, in 1935.[20][21] In the following decades, previously designated natural reserves such as Carite, Guajataca and Rio Abajo were given the additional designation of state forest. Several of the forest, such as Bosque del Pueblo, San Patricio and Monte Choca, have gained their protected designation thanks to the actions of grassroots movements and local community actions.[22][23]

List of Puerto Rico state forests

The following are Puerto Rico state forests. [note 1]

No. State Forest Image Municipalities Est. Area
(acres)
Area Ref Description (and Facilities)
1 Aguirre Guayama and Santa Isabel 1918 2390 [24] Mangrove forest includes the Punta Petrona Natural Reserve, a number of offshore keys and portions of the former Central Aguirre.[9] Borders the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Reserve in Salinas. (B, F, G, K, O)
2 Boquerón Cabo Rojo and Lajas 1918 4,630 [25] Subtropical dry and mangrove forests, incl. the Finca Belvedere, Cayo Ratones, Joyuda Lagoon and La Parguera natural reserves, the Iris Alameda Wildlife Refuge, and the Cabo Rojo National Natural Landmark.[10] Borders the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge.

(G, H, K, O, P, R, S, W)

3 Cambalache Arecibo and Barceloneta 1973 1,019 [26] Subtropical moist forest and mogotes (karstic hills) in the Northern Puerto Rico karst, portions also designated a natural reserve. Small section is open to the public.[27] (C, G, H, O, P, W)
4 Carite Caguas, Cayey, Guayama, Patillas and San Lorenzo 1975 6,499 [28] Subtropical moist forest of the Sierra de Cayey, centered around the Cerro La Santa massif. Incl. the Jorge Sotomayor del Toro Protected Natural Area, and the Guavate and Charco Azul recreational areas. (C, G, H, O, P, S, W)[29]
5 Ceiba Ceiba and Fajardo 1918 352 [30] Mangrove forest, incl. the Medio Mundo and Daguao Protected Natural Area and the Ensenada Honda area. Bordered by Roosevelt Roads.[11] (B, F, G, K, O, P, S)
6 Cerrillos Ponce 1996 194 [31] Subtropical moist forest in the Cordillera Central foothills, surrounds Lake Cerrillos. (B, F, G, H, K, O, P, R, W)[32]
7 del Pueblo Adjuntas 1995 737 [33] Subtropical moist forest in the Cordillera Central. Important migratory passerine bird area. Officially one of the 20 state forests owned by the DRNA but this one is locally managed by the Taller de Arte y Cultura community-based group at Casa Pueblo.[34] (C, G, H, O, P, S, W)[35]
8 Guajataca Isabela 1943 2,286 [36] Subtropical moist forest and mogotes (karstic hills) in the Northern Puerto Rico karst, home to numerous caves, canyons and sinkholes.[37] (C, G, H, O, P, W)
9 Guánica Guánica, Guayanilla, Yauco, Peñuelas and Ponce[38][39] 1919 10,670 [40][41] Largest protected tract of dry forest in the Caribbean,[42] also mangrove forests; home to endangered and endemic species (i.e. Puerto Rican crested toad). Incl. Punta Ballenas Natural Reserve and the Caña Gorda Cays.[12] Designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.[43] (G, H, K, O, P, R, S, W)
10 Guilarte Adjuntas, Peñuelas and Yauco 1935 4,822 [44] Subtropical moist forest of the Cordillera Central, centered around Monte Guilarte. High density of endemic species, it is the last home of the rare and endangered Monte Guilarte hollyfern.[45] (G, H, O, W)
11 Los Tres Picachos Ciales and Jayuya[46] 1999 2,289 [47] Subtropical moist forest of the Cordillera Central, centered around Los Tres Picachos. Important geological transition zone between the karst and cordillera geographical regions.[48] (H, O, W)[49]
12 Maricao Maricao, Sabana Grande, San Germán 1919 10,478 [50] Second largest rainforest in the island after El Yunque National Forest. Centered around the Santa Ana Peak, also known as Monte del Estado. Incl. Monte del Estado ecological park and recreational areas, waterfalls and charcos, and the Maricao Fish Hatchery.[51][52] (C, G, H, O, P, S, W)
13 Monte Choca Corozal[53] 2003 238 [54] Tropical moist forest. Officially one of the 20 state forests owned by the DRNA but this one is locally managed by the Civic and Cultural Recreational Club of Palos Blancos.[55] (G, H, O, R, W)
14 Nuevo Milenio San Juan 1998 388 [56] Urban secondary forest. Research forest used to study the effects of hurricanes on tropical forests. Part of the Northern Puerto Rico karst and the San Juan Ecological Corridor.[57] Bordered by the University of Puerto Rico Botanical Garden. (R)
15 Piñones Carolina and Loiza[58] 1975 1,515 [59] Largest state-managed mangrove forest. Also, home to a subtropical forest, lagoons, sand dunes and marine ecosystems. Last home of the rare and endangered araña tree.[60] (C, G, K, O, P, R, S, W)
16 Rio Abajo Arecibo and Utuado 1943 5,607 [61] Subtropical moist forest and mogotes (karstic hills) in the Northern Puerto Rico karst, home to numerous caves and sinkholes.[62] Critical Puerto Rican parrot reintroduction area.[63] Designated a National Natural Landmark since 1980.[64] (G, H, O, R, W)
17 San Patricio San Juan[65] 2000 68 [66] Urban secondary forest centered around the Mogote de San Patricio. Research forest used to study reforestation in urban areas. Part of the Northern Puerto Rico karst.[67] (G, O, R, W)
18 Susúa Sabana Grande and Yauco 1935 3,241 [68] Important transition zone between the tropical dry forest and the tropical rainforest in the foothills of the Cordillera Central. Home to the endangered Puerto Rican nightjar.[69] (G, H, O, P, R, W)
19 Toro Negro Ciales, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Orocovis and Ponce[70] 1934 7,968 [71] Subtropical moist forest centered around the Toro Negro massif of the Cordillera Central that contains the highest peaks in Puerto Rico, including Cerro de Punta.[72] Incl. protected natural reserves and recreational areas. (B, C, F, G, H, K, O, P, S, W)[73]
20 Vega Vega Alta and Vega Baja[74] 1975 1,150 [75] Subtropical moist forest and mogotes (karstic hills) in the Northern Puerto Rico karst. Only a small section is open to the public.[76] (G, O, R, W)

Key:
B = Boating
C = Camping
F = Fishing
G = Photography
H = Hiking
K = Kayaking
O = Nature Observation
P = Picnicking
R = Scientific Research
S = Swimming
W = Bird Watching

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Note on the area: As of August 2013, the Government of Puerto Rico is engaged in an ongoing plan of land purchase for the purpose of increasing its inventory of state forest land area. As a result the area figures given in this table should only be taken as approximations. Also, land measurements in Puerto Rico are given in cuerdas (one cuerda equals to 0.97 acres), and, as such, references to forest size below have been converted to acres to keep all such measurements standard throughout this article.

References

  1. ^ USDA, FOREST SERVICE. "Fauna - Threatened, Endangered, and Species of Conservation Concern". fs.usda.gov.
  2. ^ Martinuzzi, Sebastian; Gould, William A.; Lugo, Ariel E.; Medina, Ernesto (2009). "Conversion and recovery of Puerto Rican mangroves: 200 years of change" (PDF). Forest Ecology and Management. 2 (257): 75–84 – via ufl.edu.
  3. ^ "Los Bosques de Puerto Rico - EnciclopediaPR". 2014-08-27. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  4. ^ "Parques y reservas". Discover Puerto Rico (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  5. ^ Gobierno de Puerto Rico, DEPARTAMENTO DE RECURSOS NATURALES Y AMBIENTALES (June 2000). "DOCUMENTO DE DESIGNACION PARA LA EXTENSION DE LA RESERVA NATURAL LA PARGUERA" (PDF). drna.pr.gov.
  6. ^ DEPARTAMENTO DE RECURSOS NATURALES Y AMBIENTALES (DRNA), NEGOCIADO DEL SERVICIO FORESTAL (June 2015). "Directorio de Bosques Estatales".
  7. ^ United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. "History & Culture". fs.usda.gov. Archived from the original on 2011-12-11.
  8. ^ Davis, Richard C. (2009-09-29). "National Forests of the United States" (PDF). The Forest History Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-28. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. ^ a b "El Bosque estatal de Aguirre" (PDF). Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-12-24.
  10. ^ a b "El Bosque Estatal de Boquerón". DRNA. 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
  11. ^ a b "Bosque estatal de Ceiba Puerto Rico". www.prfrogui.com. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  12. ^ a b Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (2008). "Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque Estatal de Guánica" (PDF).
  13. ^ Ewel, J.L. & J.L. Whitmore. 1973. The ecological life zones of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. USDA For. Serv. Res. Pap. ITF-18.
  14. ^ "12 Jun El Bosque Estatal de Maricao". Departmento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  15. ^ "12 Jun El Bosque Estatal de Maricao". Departmento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  16. ^ "HIJOS DE MARICAO". HIJOS DE MARICAO. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
  17. ^ UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (September 27, 2007). "NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FOR" (PDF). fs.usda.gov.
  18. ^ USDA, FOREST SERVICE. "El Yunque's Historic Properties". fs.usda.gov.
  19. ^ "Casa De Piedra". Discover Puerto Rico. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
  20. ^ "Bosque Estatal de Guilarte" (PDF). Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales. December 2008.
  21. ^ "Puerto Rico's Rich History and Natural Resources". North American Forest Commission. North American Forest Commission Conference. June 8–13, 2008. San Juan, Puerto Rico.
  22. ^ "Puerto Rico". National Association of State Foresters. 2018-07-23. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  23. ^ "Parks & Preserves". Discover Puerto Rico. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  24. ^ Principales ecosistemas de puerto rico bosque de los Tres Picachos. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  25. ^ Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque Estatal de Boqueron. PR DRNA. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. Publication # P-036. January 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2013
  26. ^ Bosques y Reservas Naturales de Puerto Rico. Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine Susana M. Rivera Colon. Escuela de Artes Plasticas de Puerto Rico. November 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  27. ^ "Bosque Estatal de Cambalache".
  28. ^ Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque Estatal de Carite. PR DRNA. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. Publication # P-024. January 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  29. ^ Mountain Forests: Highest peaks. Puerto Rico's Forest Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  30. ^ Bosque Estatal de Ceiba. PRGROGUI. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  31. ^ Bosque Estatal de Cerrillos. Archived 2015-09-23 at the Wayback Machine PR DRNA. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. April 2009. Publication # P-039. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  32. ^ Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque Estatal de Cerrillos: Refugio de Vida Silvestre Embalse Cerrillos. Archived 2015-09-23 at the Wayback Machine PR DRNA. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. Publication P-039. April 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  33. ^ En las entrañas de Adjuntas un bosque para el pueblo. Revista Atabey. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  34. ^ Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque del Pueblo. Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico. Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. Issue P-042. June 2009. Accessed 24 January 2022. Archived.
  35. ^ Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque del Pueblo. Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico. Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. Issue P-042. June 2009. Accessed 24 January 2022. Archived.
  36. ^ Bosques y Reservas Naturales de Puerto Rico. Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine Susana M. Rivera Colon. Escuela de Artes Plasticas de Puerto Rico. November 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  37. ^ Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales. "Bosque Estatal de Guajataca" (PDF). drna.pr.gov.
  38. ^ El Bosque Estatal de Guánica es la reserva forestal más compleja de Puerto Rico en términos de su flora y fauna: Reserva ecologica de renombre mundial. Carla Mendez Marti. El Nuevo Día. 8 Septiembre 2002. Retrieved 19 August 2013
  39. ^ El Bosque Estatal de Guánica es la reserva forestal más compleja de Puerto Rico en términos de su flora y fauna: Reserva ecologica de renombre mundial. Coalición Pro Bosque Seco Ventanas Verraco. 8 September 2002. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  40. ^ El Bosque Estatal de Guánica es la reserva forestal más compleja de Puerto Rico en términos de su flora y fauna: Reserva ecologica de renombre mundial. Carla Mendez Marti. El Nuevo Día. 8 Septiembre 2002. Retrieved 19 August 2013
  41. ^ El Bosque Estatal de Guánica es la reserva forestal más compleja de Puerto Rico en términos de su flora y fauna: Reserva ecologica de renombre mundial. Coalición Pro Bosque Seco Ventanas Verraco. 8 September 2002. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  42. ^ Ewel, J.L. & J.L. Whitmore. 1973. The ecological life zones of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. USDA For. Serv. Res. Pap. ITF-18.
  43. ^ "2006 Federal Register, 71 FR 48883". Archived from the original on September 30, 2006. Retrieved November 26, 2006.
  44. ^ Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque Estatal de Guilarte. Archived 2014-10-22 at the Wayback Machine PR DRNA. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. Publication # P-035. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  45. ^ "Elaphoglossum serpens (no common name), Polystichum calderonense (no common name), Tectaria estremerana (no common name). 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation" (PDF). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office. 2010.
  46. ^ Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque Estatal Los Tres Picachos. Archived 2015-09-23 at the Wayback Machine PR DRNA. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. Publication # P-040. April 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  47. ^ Los Bosques de Puerto Rico. Buenas Tareas. October 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  48. ^ Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales. "Bosque Estatal Los Tres Picachos" (PDF). drna.pr.gov.
  49. ^ Bosque Estatal Los Tres Picachos. Archived 2015-09-23 at the Wayback Machine PR DRNA. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. Publication # P-040. April 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  50. ^ Bomberos forestales combaten incendio en bosque de Maricao. Primera Hora. 8 April 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  51. ^ "Vivero de Peces de Maricao". Discover Puerto Rico. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
  52. ^ "12 Jun El Bosque Estatal de Maricao". Departmento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  53. ^ Los Bosques de Puerto Rico. PR DRNA. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. Publication # P-020. November 2006. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  54. ^ Los Bosques de Puerto Rico. PR DRNA. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. Publication # P-010. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  55. ^ "Acuerdos colaborativos" (in Spanish). DRNA. 27 May 2015.
  56. ^ Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque Estatal del Nuevo Milenio.[permanent dead link] PR DRNA. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. Publication # 043. July 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  57. ^ Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales. "Bosque Estatal del Nuevo Milenio" (PDF). drna.pr.gov.
  58. ^ NUESTROS BOSQUES - PUERTO RICO: CAMPUS ECOLÓGICO. PRFROGUI. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  59. ^ NUESTROS BOSQUES - PUERTO RICO: CAMPUS ECOLÓGICO. PRFROGUI. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  60. ^ Rivera, Marelisa; Fish and Wildlife Service (19 April 1991), "RIN 1018-AB42 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Threatened Status for the plant Schoepfia arenaria" (PDF), Federal Register, vol. 56, no. 76, pp. 16021–16024, retrieved 27 December 2021
  61. ^ Reserva Forestal de Río Abajo. DRNA. (UPR-Mayagüez Departament of Biology Herbarium (MAPR). Departamento de Biología. Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez.) October 1976. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  62. ^ "EL Bosque Estatal de Río Abajo" (PDF). drna.gobierno.pr (in Spanish). P.R. Department of Resources. December 1, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 17, 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  63. ^ "Celebran la liberación de 10 cotorras puertorriqueñas a estado silvestre en el Bosque Estatal de Río Abajo". drna.pr.gov. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  64. ^ "National Natural Landmarks - National Natural Landmarks (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  65. ^ Los Bosques de Puerto Rico. University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  66. ^ Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque Estatal de San Patricio. PR DRNA. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. Publication # P-026. March 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  67. ^ "El Bosque de San Patricio". DRNA. 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  68. ^ Susúa: para quienes buscan 'otra cosa'. Héctor L. Sánchez. La Perla del Sur. Ponce. Puerto Rico. 8 August 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  69. ^ Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales. "Bosque Estatal de Susúa" (PDF). drna.pr.gov.
  70. ^ EyeTour - an independent guide to Puerto Rico sponsored by the Government of Puerto Rico Tourism Company Archived 2012-07-24 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved April 27, 1020.
  71. ^ Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque Estatal de Toro Negro. Archived 2015-08-07 at the Wayback Machine PR DRNA. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. July 2008. Publication # P-030. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  72. ^ "Bosque Estatal de Toro Negro". PRFROGUI. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  73. ^ Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque Estatal de Toro Negro. Archived 2015-08-07 at the Wayback Machine PR DRNA. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. July 2008. Publication # P-030. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  74. ^ Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque Estatal de Vega. PR DRNA. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. Publication # P-033. October 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  75. ^ Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque Estatal de Vega. PR DRNA. Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente. Publication # P-033. October 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  76. ^ Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (2008). "Bosques de Puerto Rico: Bosque Estatal de Vega" (PDF). drna.pr.gov.

External links